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Beauty

The Most Effective Way To Remove Lipstick (Because Makeup Remover Wipes Taste Gross)

March 14, 2016 by Lisa Cupido
shefinds | Beauty
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Lipstick that stays put can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s awesome when you’re out at a party,  but not so amazing when you’re turning in for the night. Many women reach for makeup remover wipes when faced with the task of taking off lipstick, only to realize, seconds later, their lips taste like medicine or chemicals. There’s got to be a better way, right?! Yup! We called in the experts to explain how to properly remove lip color.

“Long-lasting lipsticks are popular with modern women who have no time or patience for constant touch-ups,” says Luciana Hipolito, medical aesthetician and bridal makeup artist at Blushing Brides Boston. “Composed of a lot of wax, little oil, and a high concentration of pigments, quality lipstick promises to last all day but requires a little more work to remove. To easily remove long-lasting lipstick, always moisturize your lips before application. As long-lasting lipsticks have so little oil in the formula, moisturizer is essential and lip balm is your best friend before applying lipstick. When it comes to removing lipstick, exfoliation can help. If you have trouble removing the lipstick, mix a little bit of sugar and honey and gently exfoliate your lips. Be sure to moisturize after the exfoliation,” Hipolito advises.

Lauren Carelli, director of operations at Blushing Brides Boston, agrees that hydration is a crucial prep step to ensure lipstick removal isn’t a hassle later that day. “I have found that chapped lips are the biggest culprit in lipstick stains, which can be a big challenge to remove,” Carelli says. “To prevent lip stains, the first step is to moisturize. Before you apply your lipstick, put on some chapstick. A quick swipe will prevent your lipstick from getting into cracks and creases caused by dry, rough lips. It will also help your color spread more evenly.”

Carelli also reminds us that yet another item we probably have stashed in our pantries is a perfect (and perfectly tasty) lipstick remover. “Once it comes time to remove your favorite hue, my go-to is coconut oil,” she says. “I dab a little on a cotton ball and rub it on my lips to remove the color and hydrate my lips after a long day of layering on more lipstick. Works like a charm, and tastes yummy too!”

For more beauty tips and news, check out the ultimate affordable lipstick guide and how to turn eyeshadow into lipstick.

Follow me at @lisacfogarty on Twitter.

[Photo: Imaxtree]

Author:

Lisa Fogarty is a lifestyle writer and reporter based in New York who covers health, wellness, relationships, sex, beauty, and parenting.

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